Can low-dosage aluminium hydroxide control the plasma phosphate without bone toxicity?

Sixteen patients treated exclusively by haemodialysis using reverse osmosis water treatment for up to 7 years (mean 49.3 +/- 17 months) were assessed for evidence of bone aluminium accumulation and toxicity. All patients were treated with aluminium hydroxide phosphate binders for the duration of dialysis but the dosage was restricted to a maximum of 2.85 g daily (mean daily dose 2.6 +/- 0.8 g). The mean plasma phosphate over the 12 months prior to the study was 1.68 +/- 0.42 mmol/l and in only three patients was adequate control of the plasma phosphate not achieved. No patient had evidence of fracturing bone disease. Bone aluminium staining was present in only two patients but was seen at the calcification front in only one of these. Three patients had histological evidence of osteomalacia, but in none was aluminium staining present. Mean bone aluminium was moderately high at 36.67 +/- 31 micrograms/g and in only three patients exceeded 40 micrograms/g. This study indicates that adequate control of the plasma phosphate can be achieved with low dosage of aluminium hydroxide, and in the medium term is not associated with evidence of bone aluminium toxicity.